Running news: NWRRC athletes strike gold at half-marathon championships

Athletes from NWRRC claimed seven prestigious awards, including five gold medals, at the North Wales virtual half-marathon championship event.

Run as individuals on their own preferred local courses due to Covid-19 restrictions, the team of nine all celebrated with an unexpected bagful of medals, and some excellent finishing times.

Bumper success was achieved despite runners often competing on waterlogged trails, or on other challenging routes, in wet and windy weather conditions.

Golden couple Martin and Carla Green were the pick of the runners with Martin finishing 2nd overall and 1st in his M45 age category in 1 hr 13 mins 49 secs, while Carla was 20th overall, 2nd female runner, and 1st F45 athlete in 1.34.00, beating her nearest rival by just 9 seconds.

Other worthy gold medal winners included Kevin Slattery in 31st place for 1st M65 cat winner in 1.46.58, with Kay Hatton, 7th female athlete, 32nd overall, and 1st F55 winner in 1.47.26.

Cheryl Frost was the 14th female runner, 42nd overall and 1st F50 winner in 1.54.46.

Additional medal winners were Steve Bozier 17th overall in 1.29.21 for 2nd M40, and Don Hale 3rd M65 cat in 2.00.50.

Both Stuart Culverhouse and Helen Hannam also ran extremely well but just missed on medals with Stuart finishing in 22nd place, and 5th M45 in 1.34.46, whilst Helen ended 4th in her age category, 15th female, and was 45th overall in 2.02.43.

The first three placings in the half-marathon championship race went to: 1st Sam Bellis 1.12.13, 2nd Martin Green 1.13.49 and 3rd Daniel Weston 1.14.28: In the Ladies race, the positions included: 1st Rachel Shipley 1.25.16, 2nd Carla Green 1.34.00, 3rd Jane Doughton 1.34.09.